Gamma-ray emission in competition with neutron emission in the beta decay of Br

Evidence is presented for the existence of a γ-ray at 5594.7±0.6 keV following beta decay of ⁸⁷Br. This observation indicates population of neutron unbound levels in ⁸⁷Kr from which photon emission competes successfully with neutron emission.     

Improving neuron-to-electrode surface attachment via alkanethiol self-assembly: an alternating current impedance study

In this work, the omega-amine alkanethiols, cysteamine (CA) and 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (11-AUT), were chemisorbed as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) onto 250-microm gold microelectrodes that were microlithographically fabricated within eight-well cell culture plates and investigated as a means to improve neuron-to-electrode surface attachment (NESA). Dynamic contact angle (DCA) measurements showed similar advancing, theta(a) (69 degrees and 65 degrees ), but contrasting receding contact angles, theta(r) (9 and 30 degrees ) for CA- and 11-AUT-SAMs, respectively. The corresponding hysteresis (Deltatheta(ar) = 60 and 35 degrees, respectively) indicates the CA-SAM displays greater amphiphilic character than the 11-AUT-SAM. A portion of the greater Deltatheta(ar) for CA-SAMs may arise from surface heterogeneity, as compared to sputter-deposited gold and 11-AUT-SAMs. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed a 6% increase (CA-SAM) and a 22% decrease (11-AUT-SAM) in surface roughness when compared to clean but unmodified, sputter-deposited gold. The extracellular matrix cell adhesion proteins, collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, were covalently coupled to the aminoalkanethiol-decorated gold electrodes via acid-amine heterobifunctional cross-linking. Using fluorescein isothiocyanate-tagged laminin, confocal fluorescence microscopy of both CA- and 11-AUT-SAM-modified and unmodified gold microelectrodes confirmed coupling of the protein to the electrode and was readily distinguishable from nonspecifically adsorbed protein. DCA measurements of laminin physisorbed directly onto gold or covalently immobilized via CA- or 11-AUT-SAM had similar advancing (ca. 63-65 degrees ) and receding (ca. 7-9 degrees ) contact angles. Tapping mode AFM of these protein-bearing surfaces likewise showed dimerized protein aggregates of similar surface roughness. PC-12 cells cultured to confluence on both unmodified and SAM-modified, protein-derivatized gold microelectrodes were examined by alternating current impedance (50 mV p-t-p at 4 kHz). CA- and 11-AUT-SAM-modified surfaces when serving as a foundation or covalently immobilized adhesion proteins produced highly stable and reproducible temporal impedance responses. On the basis of the magnitude and the reproducibility of the impedance responses, the CA-SAM-modified surfaces were identified as being best suited for optimal neuron-to-electrode contact with laminin. Laminin performed best when compared to collagen and fibronectin. Covalent immobilization of the adhesion-promoting proteins results in enhanced NESA by tightly anchoring cells to the electrode.     

(±)‐2,3‐dialkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic esters by a tandem reduction‐reductive amination reaction

A series of 2‐methyl‐2‐(2‐nitrobenzyl)‐substituted β‐keto ester derivatives has been subjected to reductive cyclization under hydrogenation conditions to assess the importance of the ester group position on the diastereoselectivity of the process. Hydrogenation over 5% palladium‐on‐carbon at 4 atmospheres pressure resulted in formation of (±)‐2,3‐dialkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic esters with a preference for the product isomer having the C2 alkyl cis to the C3 ester. The product ratios were synthetically useful (6‐16:1), but less than that observed in cyclizations to prepare (±)‐2‐alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐4‐carboxylic esters. The reduced selectivity in the current reactions has been rationalized in terms of the greater conformational mobility around the ester bearing carbon, which decreases the ability of the ester to sterically influence the addition of hydrogen to the final imine intermediate.     

Single-molecule tracking of sub-millisecond domain motion in calmodulin

We used single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer (spFRET) to track distance changes between domains of fluorescently labeled calmodulin (CaM) on the sub-millisecond time scale. In most cases, CaM remained in the same conformational substate over time periods of up to 1 ms, showing that conformational interchange occurs on a longer time scale. However, in some instances, apparent transitions between conformational substates could be detected. The magnitude of sub-millisecond motion within the dominant conformational substate also revealed fluctuations in distance between domains that were dependent on pH and ionic strength.